From 1 July 2024, there is a ban on nearly all work that involves the manufacture, supply, processing, or installation of engineered stone benchtops, panels, and slabs. A ban on the importation of engineered stone benchtops, panels or slabs took effect on the 1 January 2025.

Work with crystalline silica that is likely to produce a large amount of respirable crystalline silica or pose a health risk to a person in a workplace is defined as high-risk crystalline silica work.

Businesses must manage the health and safety risks from silica dust at work by using the hierarchy of control measures. This ranks control measures from the highest level of protection to the lowest.

Employers and other persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) have a primary duty of care to ensure a safe work environment, including providing safe systems of work, equipment and training. 

Approximately 587,000 Australian workers were exposed to silica dust in the workplace in 2011. It has been estimated that 5,758 of these will develop a lung cancer over the course of their life because of silica dust exposure.

Silica is a naturally occurring mineral that is a major component of most rocks, sand and soils. Silica is used to make common building materials like bricks, pavers, concrete, artificial stone products and tiles.

Silica dust is made by cutting, drilling, or grinding products that contain crystalline silica. If the dust particles are small enough, they can cause serious health problems.

Silica dust particles can travel deep into the lungs causing permanent damage that can lead to serious illness or death. Diseases associated with silica exposure are called ‘silica-related diseases.’

Organisations that provide support services for people diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease.  

If you’re having trouble finding the right information or person to assist, you can contact us on 1300 326 148 for help.